An ancient symbol of victory. It was adopted by the early Christians to represent the triumph of the faithful over the enemies of the soul. They are the special badge of martyrs, and the Congregation of Rites in 1688 regarded the representation of a palm on a catacomb tomb as proof that a martyr was interred there, but this was later declared untenable.

The palm tree gives shade and fruit, and hence is emblematic of God‘s protection and grace.